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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"